National
Bank of Egypt (NBE) is a state-owned commercial bank founded on June 25, 1898 and is one of the oldest banks in Egypt, headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. As the largest bank in Egypt, NBE dominates in terms of assets, deposits, loans, number of outlets, and staff size.
The bank is wholly owned by the Egyptian Ministry of Finance and is a fully state-owned enterprise that is not listed on the stock exchange. With a strong shareholder background and government support, the NBE plays a central role in Egypt's financial system and has in the past taken on some of the central bank's functions, such as issuing and administering investment certificates in areas where there are no central bank branches.
Scope of
ServicesNBE covers the whole of Egypt, with about 615 branches and nearly 5,000 ATMs, serving more than 17.8 million customers, covering individuals, enterprises and institutions. In addition, NBE maintains an international network through its branches in the United Kingdom, Sudan, the United States (New York), China (Shanghai), as well as representative offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
NBE's global presence also benefits from its extensive network of international correspondent banks, particularly in Europe-Egypt's main trading partner region. The ATM network has expanded significantly in recent years, notably in response to the government's financial inclusion policy, with the addition of about 2,000 cash-revolving ATMs to serve underdeveloped areas.
Regulation &
ComplianceNBE is regulated by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and is subject to internationally accepted banking standards, such as the Basel Accord. CBE ensures the financial soundness of NBE through on-site inspections and off-site monitoring, assessing its capital, asset quality, management, profitability and liquidity (CALAM rating system).
NBE participates in Egypt's deposit insurance program, which protects customer deposits, but the exact amount of insurance is not publicly disclosed. Recent compliance records show that NBE is generally in compliance with regulatory requirements, with a small number of non-compliance situations triggering profit distribution restrictions until the financial position improves. No major violations or penalties were recorded, indicating strong compliance.
Financial HealthNBE has
a solid financial performance, with assets of US$167.41 billion in 2021, ranking first among Egyptian banks. The capital adequacy ratio (Tier 1 capital) is approximately US$7.5 billion, reflecting its strong resilience.
Specific data on the non-performing loan ratio and liquidity coverage ratio are not publicly available, but under the CBE's regulatory requirements, the NBE is required to suspend the accrual of interest on non-performing loans and reduce its exposure through high-liquidity collateral such as bank deposits or treasury bonds. Overall, with its state-owned background and market dominance, NBE has a high degree of financial health, which is suitable for customers who are looking for stability.
Deposit & Loan Products
deposits: NBE offers a variety of products such as demand deposits, term deposits, and high-yield savings accounts. The term of the fixed deposit is flexible (1 month to 7 years), and the interest rate is adjusted according to market fluctuations, please consult the branch or official website for details. Featured products include Certificates of Deposit, which is suitable for customers who are looking for higher yields. In addition, the NBE has launched savings accounts for women to encourage financial inclusion.
Loans: NBE offers home loans, car loans, and personal lines of credit, with interest rates varying depending on the type of loan and the customer's credit rating (check the latest interest rate through the branch or phone 19322). Loan products offer flexible repayment options, such as adjusting repayment terms or early repayment (additional fees may apply). NBE also provides special loans for SMEs and microenterprises to support financial inclusion and green financing projects.
List of common fees
Account Management Fee: Some current accounts may charge a monthly or annual fee, depending on the account type, and are usually waived for student or low-income accounts.
Transfer fees: Domestic transfer fees are low, and cross-border transfer fees vary depending on the amount and destination, so it is recommended to operate through online banking or APP to reduce costs.
Overdraft Fees and ATM Withdrawal Fees: Overdraft accounts can incur high interest rates, and interbank ATM withdrawals usually charge a flat fee (approximately 1-5 Egyptian pounds, depending on the agreement).
Hidden Fee Alert: Some accounts have a minimum balance requirement, below which additional fees may be triggered; Clients are advised to clarify the terms of the consultation when opening an account.
Digital Services
ExperienceNBE's online banking and mobile banking apps (Al Ahly Net and Al Ahly Mobile) provide core functionality, including account management, real-time transfers, bill payments and investment tool integration. The APP supports face recognition login and multi-factor authentication, with high security. Google Play and App Store users have a rating of around 3.5 to 4 stars, reflecting a good user experience but still leaves room for improvement (e.g., interface optimization). In terms of technological innovation, NBE has introduced AI-powered customer service chatbots and supported open banking APIs to integrate third-party services. The digital platform also offers foreign exchange trading and wealth management product management functions, which are suitable for customers who are looking for convenience.
Customer Service Quality
Service Channels: NBE offers 24/7 phone support (hotline 19322), live chat, and social media quick response (e.g. Twitter and Facebook). Branch services cover the whole country, suitable for customers who need face-to-face service.
Complaint handling: NBE has a special complaint handling mechanism, with an average resolution time of about 7-14 working days, and user satisfaction is high. Complaint rate data is not publicly available, but customer feedback indicates that most of the problems are resolved in a timely manner.
Multi-language support: NBE mainly provides Arabic and English services, and some international branches support other languages (such as French, Chinese), which is suitable for cross-border customers.
Security measures
security of funds: NBE participates in the deposit insurance program to ensure the safety of customers' deposits. Banks use real-time transaction monitoring and anti-fraud technology to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Data security: NBE adheres to international data security standards (e.g., ISO 27001) and has not reported any recent major data breaches. Customer data is protected with encryption and multi-factor authentication for maximum security.
Featured Services & Differentiation
market segments: NBE launches a fee-free student account for younger customers; Provide customized wealth management products for the elderly, such as high-yield savings plans; Green financial products include loans and portfolios that support sustainable development and meet ESG standards.
High Net Worth Services: NBE's private banking services are aimed at high net worth clients, providing customized financial solutions and dedicated relationship managers, with thresholds of more than EGP 500,000 (details need to be consulted).
Market Position & AccoladesNBE
is the largest bank in Egypt, ranking 226th in the world in terms of assets in 2021 and 3rd in the Arab region.
In terms of market share, the NBE accounts for 23% of the assets, 25% of deposits and 25% of loans in the Egyptian banking system, and the credit card market share is as high as 74%.
In recent years, it has won a number of awards, including the Best Bank Performance Award by Global Brands Magazine in 2016 and various awards (e.g. Best Foreign Exchange Bank) by Global Finance.
